11
A fearful consternation reign around;
All viewed with silent dread heaven's angry brow;
And naught save the affrighted screech-owl's note
Was heard amid the calm, the death-like quiet.
The trembling flocks, impelled by shrinking fear,
Sought shelter 'neath the branches of the trees;
The birds, scared from their nests, flew swiftly on
To where a straggling sunbeam lingered still,
Still unextinguished. We alone remained
Unsheltered; knowing his almighty hand
Who rules the thunder could as well protect
Us here as in the deepest dungeon cave.
All viewed with silent dread heaven's angry brow;
And naught save the affrighted screech-owl's note
Was heard amid the calm, the death-like quiet.
The trembling flocks, impelled by shrinking fear,
Sought shelter 'neath the branches of the trees;
The birds, scared from their nests, flew swiftly on
To where a straggling sunbeam lingered still,
Still unextinguished. We alone remained
Unsheltered; knowing his almighty hand
Who rules the thunder could as well protect
Us here as in the deepest dungeon cave.
Faintly at first the thunder's voice was heard
In distant murmur; and the pale lightning
Shot through the gathered clouds far in the west.
Nearer and nearer came the dreaded storm;
Louder and louder grew the clashing peals,
And brighter flashed the lightning's forked fire!
"What mortal pencil could portray the scene
At this dread moment? Frantic now with fear,
The widow clasped her children to her bosom,
Imploring heaven to shield them from the storm.
Meanwhile, in quick succession shot each flash
Of vivid fire from out the bursting clouds,
Rolling the thunder's deaf'ning peals around.
One dreadful flash of blue electric flame
Struck the ill-fated spot whereon we stood,
Tearing the children from the mother's arms,
And the uprooted earth beneath our feet.
For some short space of time my eyes were closed
In distant murmur; and the pale lightning
Shot through the gathered clouds far in the west.
Nearer and nearer came the dreaded storm;
Louder and louder grew the clashing peals,
And brighter flashed the lightning's forked fire!
"What mortal pencil could portray the scene
At this dread moment? Frantic now with fear,
The widow clasped her children to her bosom,
Imploring heaven to shield them from the storm.
Meanwhile, in quick succession shot each flash
Of vivid fire from out the bursting clouds,
Rolling the thunder's deaf'ning peals around.
One dreadful flash of blue electric flame
Struck the ill-fated spot whereon we stood,
Tearing the children from the mother's arms,
And the uprooted earth beneath our feet.
For some short space of time my eyes were closed
